On the first Sunday of Great Lent, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Parish of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene in Bentleigh, commemorating the sacred Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. Joining His Grace was the Parish Priest, Father Chris Dimolianis, along with the Father Efstathios Ladas, and a multitude of faithful from various ethnic backgrounds, all gathered in joyous reverence for this significant feast of the Church.
The church was filled to capacity with the faithful who brought with them their patronal icons, participating in the Litany Procession of Icons around the Church, which is a central element of the Sunday of Orthodoxy celebration. This procession symbolises the restoration and veneration of the holy icons, a practice that was defended by the Church following the period of iconoclasm, when the sacred images were unjustly persecuted and destroyed.
During His sermon, Bishop Kyriakos addressed the profound theological meaning of the day, reminding the faithful of the deep spiritual significance of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. He explained that this feast, celebrated since the year 843, commemorates the restoration of the holy icons and the ultimate triumph of the true Orthodox faith over heresy.
“The victory of the icons,” His Grace stated, “is not merely the victory of images, but the victory of truth and the living presence of Christ in the life of the Church. It is a victory of the Orthodox faith—a triumph of the very truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the true image of God.”
The Bishop emphasised that the faithful are called to be icons of Christ in the world, particularly in these times of darkness and confusion. “We, too,” the Bishop reminded the congregation, “must strive to reflect the image of Christ in our lives, serving as living icons of His truth and light.” Bishop Kyriakos also read the Encyclical of Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The Encyclical offered support for St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College, a vital institution for the education of future clergy and lay leaders within the Church.
The Bishop also shared a personal reflection, noting that both he and Fr. Chris Dimolianis are alumni of the Theological College. As former classmates, they shared a deep bond, not only as fellow graduates but as living testimonies of the importance of investing in the future of the Church through theological education. He underscored the importance of supporting St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College in ensuring the continued growth and vitality of the Orthodox faith in Australia and beyond.
The celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy at the Parish of St. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene was a moment of deep reflection and joy for all in attendance. It was a day to give thanks for the victory of the holy icons, to renew the commitment to the truth of Christ, and to celebrate the unity of the Orthodox Church throughout the world. May this feast continue to inspire the faithful to live as true icons of Christ in the world.
